ST. GEORGE’S, GRENADA, Friday, January 17, 2014 – GIS:  Housing Minister, Delma Thomas, has highlighted the need to support Grenada’s burgeoning manufacturing sector.

Speaking at the launch of a roofing manufacturing plant at M& N Hardware in Hope on Thursday, Thomas said such an investment will add “genuine value” to national economic activity.

She said it is a direct policy of the government to encourage the manufacturing sector.

“We understand fully well, that it is the development of the manufacturing and processing sectors that we will expand the horizons for the creation of solid wealth,” she said, adding: “Manufacturing adds value to a nation's product, and consolidates the economic foundation of every society.”

Thomas, who was deputizing from Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell at the ceremony, also said that it is crucial that the manufacturing sector expand beyond urban areas, to rural communities.

 “This government is determined to institute policies that will encourage the development of businesses throughout the state -- and not just in the city centers,” she said.

Minister Thomas noted: “Such investments, like the one here, have the potential to stem the flow of people going to the urban areas.

The Housing Minister, who is also Social Services Minister said, “more investments like the one at M&N Investments at Hope will be needed to keep people near to the communities where they live and play.”